Tropical domestication
Jungle animals were also made domestic and familiar to metropolitan children through these texts and illustrations.
Jungle Pets: Particularly after the 1880s, jungle animals became such a ubiquitous and familiar part of children’s imagery that their roles and meanings shifted slightly. They were no longer merely within the imperial perspective; jungle animals were a familiar and even domestic part of the English world.
The Jungle Caged: Tropical nature could be visually domesticated by depictions of animals in association with English pets, homes, and clothing. Part of this project of domestication was about demonstrating complete domination; while the elephant playing golf might not seem terribly upset, part of the function was to display the imperial ability to manipulate the natural world. Images of animals in zoos, visibly caged, presented a less subtle vision of the imperial power to domesticate.